Transmission and reception system, transmission and reception device, and method of transmission and reception

ABSTRACT

A transmission and reception system utilizes primarily a combination of punctured-convolution-coding and diversity. Degradation in likelihood of certain data is prevented by adopting the steps of (a) punctured-convolution-coding series of identical information data by using a plurality of different puncturing patterns, (b) diversity-transmitting each of different series of punctured data obtained in step (a) as diversity branches, (c) depuncturing the series of punctured data individually in a receiving device by using identical puncturing patterns and as used in the transmission side, and (d) combining and convolution-decoding them thereafter.

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/335,315, filed Jun. 16, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,693,889.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a digital wireless transmission andreception system, a transmission and reception device, and a method oftransmission and reception, in which quality of communication isimproved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a number of methods for improving quality of communication inthe digital wireless transmission such as an error-correction coding, adiversity transmission and reception, and a combination of them. Awell-known method of error-correction coding among the above is aconvolution coding having a superior performance in the errorcorrection. One example is a newly devised method which combinesinterleaving and puncturing with the convolution coding, as disclosed inJapanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. H08-298466. A method of theprior art for improving quality of communication using a combination ofthe convolution coding, the puncturing and the time-diversity will bebriefly described by referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B.

In a transmission device 800 of FIG. 8A, a series of information data851 to be transmitted is punctured (thinning-out process) in a unit of afixed amount of data block by a puncturing unit 802 in order to reducean amount of communication traffic in a transmission pathway, after itis convolution-coded by a convolutional coding unit 801. A puncturing(thinning-out) location within the data block is stored as a puncturingpattern in a puncturing pattern generator 803, from where it is suppliedto the puncturing unit 802.

An example shown in FIG. 8B will be described now in detail. A series ofinput information data {a₀, b₀, c₀, d₀, . . . } is converted into aseries of convolution-coded data {a₁, a₂, b₁, b₂, c₁, c₂, d₁, d₂, . . .} by the convolutional coding unit 801 having a constraint length of 3and a coding rate of 1/2. The puncturing unit 802 removes b₂, d₁, etc.,and outputs a series of punctured data {a₁, a₂, b₁, c₁, c₂, d₂, . . . },when a puncturing pattern 803 b is supplied from the puncturing patterngenerator 803. This series of punctured data is a combination of aseries of data {a₁, b₁, c₁, e₁, . . . }, which is obtained by deletingdata corresponding to a₀ position in an upper row of the puncturingpattern 803 b from a series of data {a₁, b₁, c₁, d₁, e₁, . . . }corresponding to the upper row of the puncturing pattern 803 b out ofthe foregoing series of convolution-coded data, and another series ofdata {a₂, c₂, d₂, e₂, . . . }, which is obtained by deleting datacorresponding to a₀ position in a lower row of the puncturing pattern803 b from a series of data {a₂, b₂, c₂, d₂, e₂, . . . } correspondingto the lower row of the puncturing pattern 803 b out of the series ofconvolution-coded data.

A time-diversity modulator/transmitter 804 repeats modulation andtransmission of the series of punctured data for a predetermined numberof times in response to a diversity transmission timing control signalsupplied by a diversity transmission timing controller 805 at intervalsof a predetermined time.

In a receiving device 810, the predetermined time for the transmissiondevice 800 to repeat the time-diversity transmission is set in advancewith a diversity reception timing controller 811, so that the diversityreception timing controller 811 outputs a timing control signal forstarting a time-diversity reception according to the set time. Atime-diversity receiver/demodulator 812 receives and demodulates asignal transmitted repeatedly in response to the control signal of atime-diversity reception timing, and outputs a series of demodulateddata of every diversity branch (every repeat time) . In this example,description is being made on an assumption that a result of demodulationfor each symbol in the series of demodulated data is a quantized data ina resolution of four bits, and a mark and a space have their respectivevalues equivalent to −7 and +7 under the condition of no influence ofnoises.

A puncturing pattern generator 813 stores a puncturing pattern, which isidentical to the puncturing pattern 803 b used in the puncturing unit802 of the transmission device. A depuncturing unit 814 uses thispuncturing pattern to depuncture the series of demodulated data of everydiversity branch, and outputs a series of depunctured data of everydiversity branch. The depuncturing is a process in which the puncturedposition is filled with a dummy data such as a value of 0 correspondingto a middle value between the soft decision value of −7 corresponding toa mark and the soft decision value of +7 corresponding to a space, forexample. In the case of the foregoing series of punctured data {a₁, a₂,b₁, c₁, c₂, d₂, . . . }, the depuncturing unit 814 outputs a series ofdepunctured data {a₁, a₂, b₁, 0, c₁, c₂, 0, d₂, . . . }.

The series of depunctured data of every diversity branch obtained hereis combineed symbol by symbol in a unit of block by a combining unit815, and they are convolution-decoded with a method such as the Viterbisoft quantization by a convolutional decoding unit 816, which in turnoutputs a series of decoded information data. There may be a case wherethe depuncturing and the combining are reversed in their order oftransaction.

The devices can thus achieve an improvement in quality of communicationfor both of the error-correction coding and diversity with the structureas described above, by performing punctured-convolution-coding andtime-diversity transmission on the information data to be transmitted,and also combining and depunctured-convolution-decoding aftertime-diversity reception of the data at the receiving side.

However, the structure of FIGS. 8A and 8B punctures certain identicallocations in the series of convolution-coded data (error-correction codeword) in each of the repeated transmissions by way of the time-diversitytransmission. Therefore, these certain punctured locations and vicinityof them become susceptible to noises, as they become low in likelihoodwhen convolution-decoding them, since they are treated as values havinga large length between codes from both of the mark and the space at thereceiving side.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A transmission and reception system of the present invention comprise atransmission device, a receiving device, and a communication pathwaybetween them. The transmission device includes the following elements:

-   -   (1) a convolutional coding unit for convolution-coding a series        of input data, and outputting a series of convolution-coded        data;    -   (2) a puncturing unit for puncturing the series of        convolution-coded data by using a plural form of puncturing        patterns individually, and outputting a plurality of series of        punctured data; and    -   (3) a modulator/transmitter for modulating and transmitting the        plurality of series of punctured data via at least one        communication pathway. And the receiving device includes the        following elements:    -   (1) a receiver/demodulator for receiving and demodulating a        signal transmitted by the transmission device through the        communication pathway, and outputting a plural variety of series        of demodulated data;    -   (2) a depuncturing unit for depuncturing the plural variety of        series of demodulated data by using each of the plural form of        puncturing patterns that is identical to the one used by the        puncturing unit, and outputting a plural variety of series of        depunctured data;    -   (3) a combining unit for combining the plural variety of series        of depunctured data, and outputting a result of combining; and    -   (4) a convolutional decoding unit for convolution-decoding the        result of combining, and outputting a decoded data. The        transmission and reception system transmits and receives via at        least one communication pathway each of the plural variety of        series of error-correction coded data obtained by puncturing and        convolution-coding the identical series of information data with        the plural form of puncturing patterns.

Also, A transmission and reception system of the present inventioncomprises a transmission device and a receiving device, and that thetransmission device includes the following elements:

-   -   (1) a convolutional coding unit for outputting a series of input        data by convolution-coding them;    -   (2) a first multiple puncturing pattern generator for generating        a predetermined plural form of puncturing patterns having an        identical puncturing rate, but different in block pattern of        puncturing with one another;    -   (3) a puncturing unit for puncturing the series of        convolution-coded data by using each of the predetermined plural        form of puncturing patterns supplied by the first multiple        puncturing pattern generator, and outputting a predetermined        plurality of different series of punctured data;    -   (4) a diversity transmission timing controller for outputting a        diversity transmission timing control signal for carrying out        transmission for a plural number of times at intervals of a        predetermined time;    -   (5) a time-diversity modulator/transmitter for modulating and        transmitting the predetermined plurality of different series of        punctured data one by one as diversity transmission data at        intervals of the predetermined time in response to the diversity        transmission timing, control signal. The receiving device        includes the following elements:    -   (1) a diversity reception timing controller for outputting a        predetermined diversity reception timing control signal for        carrying out a reception of the signal transmitted with        time-diversity transmission at intervals of the predetermined        time;    -   (2) a time-diversity receiver/demodulator for receiving and        demodulating each of the signals transmitted for a plural number        of times by the transmission device in response to the diversity        reception timing control signal, and outputting individual        series of demodulated data;    -   (3) a second multiple puncturing pattern generator for        generating puncturing patterns, which are identical to those        generated by the first multiple puncturing pattern generator;    -   (4) a depuncturing unit for depuncturing each of the series of        demodulated data in quantity corresponding to the predetermined        number of diversity receptions output from the time-diversity        receiver/demodulator by using the predetermined different form        of puncturing patterns supplied from by the second multiple        puncturing pattern generator, and outputting a plural number of        series of depunctured data;    -   (5) a combining unit for combining the predetermined plural        number of series of depunctured data output by the depuncturing        unit, symbol by symbol in a unit of block, and outputting a        result of combining; and    -   (6) a convolutional decoding unit for convolution-decoding the        result of combining, and outputting a decoded data.

The transmission and reception system, the transmission and/or receptiondevice, and the method of transmission and/or reception executes thediversity transmission and reception of a plurality of different seriesof error-correction code word, as individual diversity branch data, byobtaining them through puncturing and convolution-coding the identicalseries of information data with different forms of puncturing patterns.Accordingly, the present invention is able to prevent a likelihood ofcertain information data from declining, and to further improve aquality of communication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are drawings depicting block diagrams of atime-diversity transmission and reception system of a first exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A, and 2B are drawings depicting a block diagram of a multiplepuncturing pattern generator of a second exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, and an example of generated puncturing patterns;

FIG. 3 is a drawing depicting a block diagram of a receiving device of atime-diversity transmission and reception system of a third exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a drawing depicting a block diagram of a transmission andreception system of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a drawing depicting a block diagram of a transmission andreception system of a fifth exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a drawing depicting a block diagram of a transmission andreception system of a sixth exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a drawing depicting a block diagram of a satellite-pathdiversity transmission and reception system of a seventh exemplaryembodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 8A and 8B are drawings depicting block diagrams of an example of atime-diversity transmission and reception system of the prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a transmission and reception system, atransmission and reception device and a method of transmission andreception, which realize an improvement in quality of communication bytaking steps of:

-   -   (a) convolution-coding a data to be transmitted;    -   (b) producing a plurality of different series of punctured data        by puncturing it in a unit of a predetermined block with a        plural form of puncturing patterns; and    -   (c) transmitting each of the series of punctured data through a        plurality of paths (diversity branches) , and at a receiving        side, by taking steps of:    -   (a) receiving and demodulating the signals through the plurality        of paths (diversity branches) ;    -   (b) depuncturing the signals with puncturing patterns        corresponding to them;    -   (c) combining them from symbol to symbol in a unit of block; and    -   (d) reconstituting the original data by convolution-decoding        them.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be describedhereinafter by referring to FIG. 1A through FIG. 7.

First Exemplary Embodiment

A first exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to atime-diversity transmission and reception system for transmitting andreceiving the above-cited plurality of different series of punctureddata via a plurality of paths with carrier waves of the same frequency(same assigned range of frequency) but different in time (allotted timefor transmission) .

FIG. 1A depicts a structure of a time-diversity transmission andreception system of the first exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 1B is adrawing for use in describing an essential part of the same. A primarydifference of the present structure from that shown in FIGS. 8A and 8Bas described in the prior art system is that the puncturing patterngenerator provided in each of the transmission device and the receivingdevice for generating a single form of the puncturing pattern isreplaced by a multiple puncturing pattern generator for generating aplurality of puncturing patterns in various forms. Although the presentembodiment is an example in which transmission and reception are madevia two paths in order to simplify the description, a number of pathscan be expanded easily without impairing the universality.

First, a convolutional coding unit 101 convolution-codes a series ofinput information data 121, and outputs it as a series ofconvolution-coded data 125. The convolutional coding unit 101 in FIG. 1Bis an example of circuit structure for convolution coding in aconstraint length of 3 and a coding rate of 1/2.

On the other hand, a multiple puncturing pattern generator 102 generatestwo forms of puncturing patterns having an identical puncturing rate,but different in block pattern of puncturing with each other. Forinstance, it generates two different puncturing patterns, a pattern A,102 a, and a pattern B, 102 b, both having a same puncturing rate of17/22 (a number of bits after puncturing/a number of bits before thepuncturing) , as shown in FIG. 1B. In the figure, a numeral “0”indicates a location where the puncturing (thinning-out) is made withinthe puncturing patterns, and the puncturing locations are set in amanner that they do not overlap with each other between the patterns Aand B.

A puncturing unit 103 punctures the series of convolution-coded data 125by using the two puncturing patterns, the pattern A, 102 a, and thepattern B, 102 b, and outputs respective series of punctured data 126 aand 126 b.

Although the foregoing structure comprises the multiple puncturingpattern generator 102 and the puncturing unit 103 as being two separateblocks, the two functions can be combined into one block. In otherwords, the puncturing unit may have the function of generating pluralforms of puncturing patterns as well as the function of puncturing.

A diversity transmission timing controller 104 outputs two series ofdiversity transmission timing control signal 123 for the transmissiondevice 100 to make time-diversity transmission at intervals of apredetermined time.

A time-diversity modulator/transmitter 105 carries out thetime-diversity transmission twice in response to each of the two ordersof diversity transmission timing control signal 123 delivered by thediversity transmission timing controller 104 by using the series ofpunctured data 126 a for a first data of the time-diversity modulationand transmission and the series of punctured data 126 b for a seconddata of the time-diversity modulation and transmission.

On the other hand, the predetermined time for the transmission device100 to carry out the time-diversity transmission is set in advance witha diversity reception timing controller 111 of a receiving device 110,so that the controller 111 outputs a diversity reception timing controlsignal 124 twice on time for a start of time-diversity reception.

A time-diversity receiver/demodulator 112 receives and demodulates thetime-diversity transmitted signal in response to the diversity receptiontiming control signal 124, and outputs two series of demodulated data127 a and 127 b of every diversity branch.

A multiple puncturing pattern generator 113 generates two forms ofpuncturing patterns that are identical to those produced by the multiplepuncturing pattern generator 102 of the transmission device 100.

A depuncturing unit 114 depunctures the series of demodulated data 127 aand 127 b by using the puncturing patterns 102 a and 102 b supplied bythe multiple puncturing pattern generator 113, one after another, andoutputs series of depunctured data 128 a and 128 b. In this depuncturingprocess, digital values in the series of demodulated data are outputwith their original values for unpunctured locations in the puncturingpatterns, and a middle value between values of a mark and a space isinserted in each of the punctured locations. For instance, if individualsymbols in the series of demodulated data are output in quantized softdecision values in a resolution of four bits, the mark and the spacehave values of −7 and +7 respectively, and a middle value between themcorresponds to “0”.

In the foregoing structure, although the multiple puncturing patterngenerator 113 and the depuncturing unit 114 have been described asseparate blocks, both of the functions can be combined into one block.For example, the depuncturing unit may have the function of generatingtwo forms of puncturing patterns that are identical to those generatedby the multiple puncturing pattern generator 102 of the transmissiondevice 100, as well as the function of depuncturing.

A combining unit 115 combines the series of depunctured data 128 a and128 b of every diversity branch, symbol by symbol in a unit of block. Inthe case of foregoing example, two 4 bits of digital data are addedtogether. In the present exemplary embodiment, the addition of digitalvalues in locations of the specific symbols does not leave the value “0”intact, since the locations where the value “0” is inserted in thedepuncturing process differ between the two series of depunctured data128 a and 128 b, as a matter of course. In the prior art techniques, onthe other hand, a result of addition of digital values in certainsymbols has left the value “0” unchanged after depuncturing, therebycausing the likelihood extremely low, since puncturing locations inblocks during the puncturing process have not varied, but remained samethroughout time-diversity.

A convolutional decoding unit 116 decodes the series of combineedresults output by the combining unit 115 with a method such as theViterbi soft quantization and the like means, and outputs a decodedseries of information data 122.

As has been described, the present exemplary embodiment of thisinvention obtains two different series of punctured data by puncturingidentical series of information data with two different forms ofpuncturing patterns, and executes time-diversity transmission of theobtained series of data as transmission data of individual diversitybranches. A receiver combines the transmitted data after depuncturingthem by using two different forms of puncturing patterns, which areidentical to those of the transmission side, and carries outconvolution-decoding. In this way, the invention prevents a reduction oflikelihood from concentrating on certain information data, since thepunctured locations differ between individual diversity branches, so asto improve quality of the communication.

Although the described embodiment is an example that uses two forms ofpuncturing patterns, this is not restrictive. A concept of the presentexemplary embodiment is adaptable even to a structure, in which a numberof puncturing patterns generated by the multiple puncturing patterngenerator of the transmission device and the receiving device isincreased to three forms or more, and a number of branches for thetime-diversity transmission and reception is increased to three or more,so long as these branches include different puncturing patterns.

Also, while the present exemplary embodiment as, described aboveincludes FIG. 1B showing an example of circuit structure for theconvolution coding in a constraint length of 3 and a coding rate of 1/2,and describes the puncturing as being made in a puncturing rate of17/22, they are not restrictive as it is needless to mention.

Further, although the puncturing locations are said to be notoverlapping among the plurality of puncturing patterns in the describedembodiment, this is not restrictive, as some of the puncturing locationsmay overlap.

Moreover, it goes without mentioning that the system can be constructedin a manner that the convolutional coding unit is supplied with a seriesof data processed by other error-correction coding or error-detectioncoding as the series of information data. Or, the system may comprise aprocessing unit for interleaving and/or another unit for composing aburst, inserted between the puncturing unit and themodulator/transmitter.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

A second exemplary embodiment relates to an improvement of the multiplepuncturing pattern generator in the time-diversity transmission andreception system of the first exemplary embodiment. The present systemproduces a reference matrix for generating a puncturing pattern atfirst, and generates plural forms of puncturing patterns by convertingthe reference matrix.

FIG. 2A shows an internal structure of a multiple puncturing patterngenerator (corresponding to the generators 102 and 113 in FIGS. 1A and1B) of the second exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 2A, a reference matrixgenerator 201 is for generating a matrix for use as a reference whengenerating a plurality of puncturing patterns, and a matrix 201 a is anexample of the reference matrix generated by it.

A matrix converter 202 outputs a plurality of puncturing patterns byconverting a row, a column or matrix elements of the reference matrix201 a according to a predetermined process. In the example of FIG. 2A,the matrix converter 202 outputs two forms of puncturing patterns 202 aand 202 b by exchanging rows in the reference matrix 201 a. That is, themultiple puncturing pattern generator 102 first generates a matrix datafrom the reference matrix 201 a without exchanging any of the rows, andoutputs it as the puncturing pattern 202 a. It then exchanges between afirst row and a second row of the reference matrix 201 a, and outputs itas the puncturing pattern 202 b. The structure and function of thetime-diversity transmission and reception system of the second exemplaryembodiment, other than the foregoing, remain the same as those of FIGS.1A and 1B.

With the present exemplary embodiment as described above, the system isable to save a memory capacity as compared to the system of the firstexemplary embodiment, since it stores only one matrix as a reference forthe multiple puncturing pattern generator to generate a plurality ofpuncturing patterns.

Although in the foregoing description of FIG. 2A in the presentexemplary embodiment, the matrix converter adopts a method forexchanging matrix elements in rows of the reference matrix, this is notrestrictive, and it may use a method of generating a plurality ofpuncturing patterns by exchanging column by column, as shown in FIG. 2B.There are also other methods of generating a plurality of puncturingpatterns such as one that combines a plurality of rows in apredetermined order.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

A third exemplary embodiment relates to an improvement of the combiningunit in the receiving device of the time-diversity transmission andreception system of the first exemplary embodiment. The present systemobtains a result of combining by weighting a series of depunctured dataaccording to a level of receiving signal, and adding it symbol bysymbol.

FIG. 3 shows a structure of a receiving device 310 in a time-diversitytransmission and reception system of the third exemplary embodiment. Areception level memory 301 measures a level of receiving signal at atime-diversity receiver/demodulator 112 in response to a diversityreception timing control signal supplied by a diversity reception timingcontroller 111, and stores a result of the measurement for everydiversity branch. In this example, the reception level memory 301 storesreception levels R1 and R2 for each of the time-diversity signalstransmitted twice.

A weighting/combining unit 302 weights a series of depunctured data ofevery diversity branches delivered from a depuncturing unit 114according to the reception level stored in the reception level memory301, and combines it thereafter, symbol by symbol in a unit of datablock. If weighting factors for each of the two diversity branchesobtained according to magnitudes of the reception levels R1 and R2 aredenoted by W1 and W2, and digital values at number “i” in order ofsuccession in the block of each series of punctured data by d1i and d2i,then a weighted-and-combineed result “di” can be expressed by thefollowing formula:di=(W1×d1i+W2×d2i) /(W1+W2)

The structure and function of the time-diversity transmission andreception system of this exemplary embodiment, other than the foregoing,remain the same as those of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that a magnitude of weighting isclassified into three steps of “large”, “medium” and “small” accordingto the reception level with their respective weighting factors of “1”,“½” and “¼”, and the reception levels R1 and R2 are of magnitudescorresponding to “large” and “medium” respectively. In this instance, aweighting factor W1 for the first diversity branch becomes “1”, and aweighting factor W2 for the second diversity branch becomes “½” at theweighting/combining unit 302. If the series of depunctured data for twodiversity branches supplied from the depuncturing unit 114 are assumedto be d1={5, 7, −6, 0, −7 . . . } and d2={3, −2, 0, 4, −7 . . . }respectively, a series of data “d” obtained as a result of combining isd={4.3, 4, −4, 1.3, −7 . . . }, so that these data are supplied to aconvolutional decoding unit 116.

Accordingly, the present exemplary embodiment of the invention isexpected to achieve an effectiveness equivalent to the maximum-ratiocombining diversity, since it combines depunctured data after weightingthe data according to reception levels for each diversity branch of thereceived time-diversity signal, when combining the depunctured data.

Although the foregoing example of the present exemplary embodiment haschosen a three-step classification for reception level with respectiveweighting factors of “1”, “½” and “¼”, this is not exclusive. Theclassification can be set for any number of steps, and the weightingfactors can be of any values so long as they correspond with thereception levels.

Also, while the foregoing exemplary embodiment has made the proportionalcombining calculations to include a decimal fraction in theweighting/combining unit 302, this is not restrictive, and integralcalculation may be made without regarding decimal fraction.

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

A fourth exemplary embodiment relates to a code division multiplexsignal transmission and reception system for transmitting and receivingthe above-cited plurality of different series of punctured data with aplurality of paths for code division multiplex signal.

FIG. 4 shows a structure of a transmission and reception system of thefourth exemplary embodiment. The system of FIG. 4 is provided with acode division multiplex signal transmitter 401 forcode-division-multiplexing and transmitting a predetermined pluralnumber of series of punctured data fed in it, in place of the diversitytransmission timing controller 104 and the time-diversitymodulator/transmitter 105 in the transmission device 100 of FIG. 1A. Thesystem is also provided with a code division multiplex signal receiver402 for receiving and demodulating individual signals transmitted withcode-division-multiplexing and outputting a series of demodulated data,in place of the diversity reception timing controller 111 and the timediversity receiver/demodulator 112 in the receiving device 110 of FIG.1A.

The transmission and reception system constituted as above will bedescribed hereinafter for the portions that operate differently fromthat of the first exemplary embodiment. The transmission device 400transmits a plural variety of punctured data series output from apuncturing unit 103 after they are code-division-multiplexed andspread-modulated by the code division multiplex signal transmitter 401.The receiving device 410 receives the transmitted signals multiplexed bycode-division multiplexing, demodulates each of the multiplexed signalswith a despreading process by the code division multiplex signalreceiver 402, and supplies a predetermined plural number of series ofdemodulated data to a depuncturing unit 114. All other operations in theFIG. 4 are same as those of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

As described, this exemplary embodiment of the present invention enablesthe system to improve quality of communication in the like manner as theone using time-diversity transmission and reception, since it carriesout transmission and reception of a plurality of different series ofpunctured and convolution-coded data with the code division multiplexinginstead of the time-diversity transmission and reception.

Fifth Exemplary Embodiment

A fifth exemplary embodiment relates to a path-diversity transmissionand reception system, in which a plurality of transmission devicestransmits the above-described plurality of different series of punctureddata via a plurality of paths, and a receiving device receives the same.

FIG. 5 shows a structure of a transmission and reception system of thefifth exemplary embodiment. A path-diversity transmission systemcomprises two units of transmission devices 500 a and 500 b forprocessing and modulating identical series of information data, andtransmitting them in a manner to avoid overlapping in time.

A puncturing pattern generator in each of the transmission devices isadapted to generate a puncturing pattern having the same puncturing ratebut in a different form from each other. A puncturing pattern generator502 a generates a puncturing pattern that is identical to the puncturingpattern 102 a in FIG. 1B, and a puncturing pattern generator 502 bgenerates a puncturing pattern identical to the pattern 102 b in thesame figure.

Convolutional coding units 501 a and 501 b in the two transmissiondevices convolution-code a series of information data 521 fed in them,and output series of convolution-coded data. In the transmission device500 a, a puncturing unit 503 a punctures the obtained series ofconvolution-coded data by using the puncturing pattern A, 102 a, of FIG.1B supplied from the puncturing pattern generator 502 a. And, apuncturing unit 503 b in the transmission device 500 b punctures theobtained series of convolution-coded data by using the puncturingpattern B, 102 b, of FIG. 1B supplied from the puncturing patterngenerator 502 b. Modulator/transmitters 505 a and 505 b modulate andtransmit the series of punctured data obtained in the foregoingpuncturing units according to information for transmission timings andtransmission frequencies supplied from transmission controllers 504 aand 504 b in the individual transmission devices. Each of the signalstransmitted by the transmission devices 500 a and 500 b hasapproximately same frequency, and is so arranged not to overlap intransmission timing with each other.

A receiving device 510 receives and demodulates the signals transmittedby the two transmission devices 500 a and 500 b according to informationfor a predetermined reception timing and a receiving frequency suppliedfrom a reception controller 511, and outputs respective series ofdemodulated data.

A depuncturing unit 114 depunctures the series of demodulated data ofthe signal transmitted by the transmission device 500 a with apuncturing pattern, which is identical to the pattern 102 a generated bythe puncturing pattern generator 502 a, out of the two predeterminedforms of different puncturing patterns supplied by a multiple puncturingpattern generator 113, and the series of demodulated data of the signaltransmitted by the transmission device 500 b with a puncturing patternthat is identical to the pattern 102 b generated by the puncturingpattern generator 502 b, and outputs respective series of depunctureddata.

Following the above, a combining unit 115 combines a plural series ofthe depunctured data delivered from the depuncturing unit 114, symbol bysymbol in a unit of block. A convolutional decoding unit 116 thenconvolution-decodes the obtained series of combineed results, andoutputs a series of decoded information data 522.

With the present exemplary embodiment of this invention, as describedabove, when transmitting identical series of information data with aplurality of transmission devices, the transmission devices transmit theidentical series of information data after puncturing andconvolution-coding each of the data series with a different puncturingpattern among the transmission devices. A receiving device depuncturesthe signals transmitted by each of the transmission devices with theidentical patterns that are used by the transmission devices. In thisway, the invention is able to vary puncturing locations from onetransmission device to another, so as to avoid a reduction in likelihoodof certain information data, and to further improve quality of thecommunication.

Although the transmission controllers 504 a and 504 b in the presentexemplary embodiment are so arranged that transmission frequency fromeach of the transmission devices are approximately equal, and theirtransmission timings do not overlap with each other, these are notrestrictive. Instead, the transmission frequency from the transmissiondevices may be arranged so as not to overlap with each other, whilemaintaining the transmission timings approximately equal between thetransmission devices. Or, both of the transmission timings and thetransmission frequency can be arranged not to overlap between thetransmission devices. In these cases, information for reception timingsand receiving frequencies need to be set with the reception controller511 according to the information of the transmission side.

Also, the transmission devices may be provided with code-divisionmultiplex signal transmitters, instead of the modulator/transmitters 505a and 505 b in each of the transmission devices, for modulating andtransmitting the series of punctured data with code-divisionmultiplexing according to information for transmission timing andtransmission frequency, while maintaining the transmission timings andthe transmission frequencies set by the transmission controllers 504 aand 504 b in the transmission devices approximately equal. At the sametime, the receiving device comprises a code-division multiplex signalreceiver, instead of the receiver/demodulator 512, for outputting aseries of demodulated data by receiving and demodulating every signalstransmitted with code-division multiplexing from each of thetransmission devices by way of extracting them with the despreadingprocess, while maintaining the reception timings and the receptionfrequencies set with the reception controller 511 for the signalstransmitted by the transmission devices approximately equal. Hence asystem can be constituted with a plurality of transmission devices fortransmitting identical series of information data by code-divisionmultiplexing, and a receiving device for receiving and demodulatingevery code-division multiplexed signals.

In addition, although the system of the present exemplary embodiment isprovided with two transmission devices, this is not exclusive and threeor more transmission devices can be provided, as long as puncturingpatterns used by the individual transmission devices are generated indifferent varieties, and a multiple puncturing pattern generator in thereceiving device is adapted to generate every one of these patterns.Moreover, although both of the transmission devices independentlyperform the entire operation between input and transmission of theseries of information data, an operation common to both devices may bemade together by providing an input processing unit for processing inputdata.

Sixth Exemplary Embodiment

A sixth exemplary embodiment relates to a time and space diversitytransmission and reception system, which transmits the above-describedplurality of different series of punctured data via a plurality of pathswith a same carrier wave but different in time, and receives with aplurality of receiving devices.

FIG. 6 shows a structure of a transmission and reception system of thesixth exemplary embodiment. A space diversity reception system comprisesa transmission device 600 for transmitting a signal, and two units ofreceiving devices 610 a and 610 b for performing a process of receivingand demodulating the signal. In FIG. 6, the transmission device 600 isprovided with a transmission controller 601 and a modulator/transmitter602 in place of the diversity transmission timing controller 104 and thetime-diversity modulator/transmitter 105 in the transmission device 100of FIGS. 1A and 1B. In the transmission device 600, an operation iscarried out in the same manner as the transmission device 100 of thefirst exemplary embodiment between a process of convolution-coding theseries of information data being transmitted and a process of puncturingthem into two different series of punctured data by using two differentpuncturing patterns A, 102 a, and B, 102 b shown in FIG. 1B.

The modulator/transmitter 602 modulates and transmits one of the twodifferent series of punctured data obtained with the puncturing patternA, 102 a, of FIG. 1B toward the receiving device 610 a according toinformation of a predetermined transmission timing and transmissionfrequency for the receiving device 610 a supplied from the transmissioncontroller 601. The modulator/transmitter 602 also modulates andtransmits another series of data punctured with the puncturing patternB, 102 b, of FIG. 1B toward the receiving device 610 b according to theinformation of a predetermined transmission timing and transmissionfrequency for the reception device 610 b supplied from the transmissioncontroller 601. An arrangement is made in advance so that thetransmission timings set for the two series of punctured data do notoverlap with each other, and the transmission frequencies areapproximately same.

The two units of receiving devices 610 a and 610 b receive anddemodulate the signals transmitted to them from the transmission device600 according to the information for transmission timings andtransmission frequencies supplied by their respective receptioncontrollers 611 a and 611 b, and output respective series of demodulateddata.

In the receiving devices 610 a, a depuncturing unit 614 a depuncturesthe series of demodulated data by using the puncturing pattern A, 102 a,supplied from a puncturing pattern generator 613 a, and outputs a seriesof depunctured data 633 a.

In the receiving devices 610 b, on the other hand, a depuncturing unit614 b depunctures the series of demodulated data by using the puncturingpattern B, 102 b, supplied from a puncturing pattern generator 613 b,and outputs a series of depunctured data 633 b.

An output processing device 620 accumulates the series of depunctureddata 633 a and 633 b supplied from both of the receiving devices, and acombining unit 621 combines them symbol by symbol in a unit of block.Then, a convolutional decoding unit 622 convolution-decodes thecombineed result, and outputs a series of decoded information data 632.

As has been described, the foregoing exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention punctures and convolution-codes a series of information datawith different puncturing patterns for every transmission to theindividual receiving devices when transmitting identical series ofinformation data to the plurality of the receiving devices, therebyenabling the system to vary puncturing locations for every transmissionto the individual receiving devices, prevent a degradation in likelihoodof certain information data, and further improve quality ofcommunication.

Although the transmission controller 601 in the present exemplaryembodiment is so arranged in advance that transmission frequencies tothe individual receiving devices are approximately equal, and theirtransmission timings do not overlap with each other, these are notrestrictive. Instead, the transmission frequencies to the individualreceiving devices may be arranged so as not to overlap between thetransmissions, while maintaining the transmission timings approximatelyequal. Or, both of the transmission timings and the transmissionfrequencies can be arranged not to overlap between the transmissions tothe receiving devices. In these cases, information for reception timingsand receiving frequencies are to be set with the reception controllers611 a and 611 b in the individual receiving devices according toinformation of the transmission side.

Also, the transmission devices may be provided with a code-divisionmultiplex signal transmitter, instead of the modulator/transmitter 602,for modulating and transmitting the plurality of punctured data serieswith code-division multiplexing, while maintaining the transmissiontimings and the transmission frequencies of the transmission controller601 approximately equal. At the same time, each of the receiving devicesmay comprise a code-division multiplex signal receiver, instead of thereceiver/demodulators 612 a and 612 b, for outputting series ofdemodulated data by receiving and demodulating a specific signaladdressed to the individual receiving devices out of the signalstransmitted with code-division multiplexing from the transmission deviceby way of extracting it with the despreading process, while setting thereception timings and the receiving frequencies approximately equalbetween the reception controllers 611 a and 611 b. Hence the system canbe constituted with a transmission device for transmitting identicalseries of information data by code-division multiplexing to a pluralityof receiving devices, and the receiving devices for receiving anddemodulating the code-division multiplexed signals.

Furthermore, each receiving device may be provided with a receptionlevel measuring unit for measuring individual signal levels received bythe receiver/demodulator 612 a or 612 b according to information for thereception timing and the reception frequency supplied by the receptioncontroller 611 a or 611 b, and outputting a result of the measurements.Also, the output processing device 620 may be provided with aweighting/combining unit, instead of the combining unit 621, forweighting and combining the individual series of depunctured data basedon the signal reception levels supplied by the individual receivingdevices in order to gain an effectiveness equivalent to themaximum-ratio combine diversity, in the same manner as the thirdexemplary embodiment.

Although the system of the described embodiment is provided with tworeceiving devices, this is not exclusive and three or more receivingdevices may be provided, if puncturing patterns to be used forpuncturing during transmission to the individual receiving devices aregenerated in different varieties, and a multiple puncturing patterngenerator in the transmission device is adapted to generate every one ofthese patterns.

Seventh Exemplary Embodiment

A seventh exemplary embodiment relates to a satellite-path diversitytransmission and reception system, in which a transmission devicetransmits the above-described plurality of different series of punctureddata via a plurality of paths with same carrier wave but different intime, and a receiving device receives them via a plurality of satelliterepeater stations.

FIG. 7 shows a structure of a satellite-path diversity transmission andreception system of the seventh exemplary embodiment. Satellite repeaterstations 700 a and 700 b relay transmission signals from an earthstation transmission device 710 to an earth station receiving device720. The earth station transmission device 710 is provided with an earthstation modulator/transmitter 711 in place of the diversity transmissiontiming controller 104 and the time-diversity modulator/transmitter 105in the transmission device 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B. All other structureand operation remain same as the transmission device 100 of FIGS. 1A and1B.

Also, the earth station receiving device 720 is provided with an earthstation receiver/demodulator 721 in place of the diversity receptiontiming controller 111 and the time-diversity receiver/demodulator 112 inthe receiving device 110 of FIGS. 1A and 1B. All other structure andoperation remain same as the receiving device 110 of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

The satellite-path diversity transmission and reception systemconstructed as above operates in a manner, which will be describedhereinafter. In the earth station transmission device 710, aconvolutional coding unit 101 convolution-codes identical series ofinformation data at first. A puncturing unit 103 punctures the series ofobtained convolution-coded data by using each of two forms of puncturingpatterns A, 102 a, and B, 102 b, shown in FIG. 1B, supplied from amultiple puncturing pattern generator 102, and outputs two series ofpunctured data.

The earth station modulator/transmitter 711 modulates and transmits aseries of data punctured with the puncturing pattern A, 102 a, out ofthe two series of punctured data supplied from the puncturing unit 103toward the satellite repeater station 700 a. The earth stationmodulator/transmitter 711 also modulates and transmits another series ofdata punctured with the puncturing pattern B, 102 b, toward thesatellite repeater station 700 b.

The earth station receiver/demodulator 721 in the earth stationreceiving device 720 receives and demodulates individual transmissionsignals relayed via the satellite repeater stations 700 a and 700 b, andoutputs two varieties of demodulated data series.

A depuncturing unit 114 depunctures the series of demodulated dataderived from a signal of the satellite repeater station 700 a, out ofthe two series of demodulated data supplied from the earth stationreceiver/demodulator 721, by using a puncturing pattern, which isidentical to the puncturing pattern A, 102 a, supplied by a multiplepuncturing pattern generator 113. The depuncturing unit 114 alsodepunctures another series of demodulated data derived from a signal ofthe satellite repeater station 700 b by using a puncturing pattern thatis identical to the puncturing pattern B, 102 b, supplied by themultiple puncturing pattern generator 113.

A combining unit 115 combines the two varieties of depunctured dataseries obtained here from symbol to symbol in a unit of block. Then, aconvolutional decoding unit 116 convolution-decodes the combineedresult, and outputs a series of decoded information data 732.

With the present exemplary embodiment of this invention, as has beendescribed, the earth station transmission device punctures identicalseries of information data by using a plurality of different puncturingpatterns, and executes a satellite-path diversity transmission of thedifferent series of obtained punctured data to a plurality of satellitesas transmission data for individual satellite-path diversity branches.The earth station receiving device depunctures the transmission data byusing a plurality of different puncturing patterns, which are identicalto those of the transmission side, combines and convolution-decodesthereafter. In this way, the invention is able to avoid a degradation inlikelihood of certain information data, and to further improve qualityof the communication.

Although the present exemplary embodiment has a structure for making aunidirectional communication from the earth station transmission deviceto the earth station receiving device, this is not restrictive. In asystem comprising a plurality of earth stations for performing apath-diversity transmission and reception via a plurality of satelliterepeater stations, for example, each of the earth stations may compriseboth of an earth station transmission device 710 and an earth stationreceiving device 720.

Although the system of the described embodiment is adapted to use twosatellite repeater stations, this is not exclusive and three or morerepeater stations can be used as is evident from the other exemplaryembodiments.

Again, although the foregoing first, fourth, fifth and sixth exemplaryembodiments are systems that make one-way communication fromtransmission devices to receiving devices, they can be systems that makebi-directional communication between two transmission/reception deviceshaving a combined function of both transmission device and receivingdevice and sharing common functional components between them.

Although the transmission device in each of the foregoing exemplaryembodiments has been described as having a (multiple) puncturing patterngenerator and a puncturing unit as separate blocks, they can be combinedinto one block. For example, the puncturing unit may be adapted togenerate a (or plural forms of) puncturing pattern(s) , and carry outpuncturing also. In the same manner, the receiving device has beendescribed as having a (multiple) puncturing pattern generator and adepuncturing unit as separate blocks, they can be combined also into oneblock. For example, the depuncturing unit may be adapted to generate a(or plural forms of) puncturing pattern(s) identical to the (pluralforms of) puncturing pattern(s) generated by the (multiple) puncturingpattern generator of the transmission device, and carry outdepuncturing.

Accordingly, a system of the present invention convolution-codes seriesof information data by using puncturing patterns, which differ from onediversity branch to another, when transmitting and receiving primarilythe series of information data with a combination ofpunctured-convolution-coding and diversity, thereby preventing adegradation in likelihood of certain information data, and achieving aremarkable improvement in quality of communication.

1. A transmission and reception system comprising a transmission deviceand, a receiving device, and a communication pathway between saidtransmission device and said receiving device, said transmission devicecomprising: (1) convolutional coding means for convolution-coding inputdata, and outputting convolution-coded data; (2) puncturing means forpuncturing said convolution-coded data using puncturing patterns, andoutputting punctured data; and (3) modulation/transmission means formodulating and transmitting said punctured data, and said receivingdevice comprising: (1) reception/demodulation means for receiving anddemodulating a signal transmitted by said transmission device, andoutputting demodulated data; (2) depuncturing means for depuncturingsaid demodulated data using said puncturing patterns used by saidpuncturing means, and outputting depunctured data; (3) combining meansfor combining said depunctured data, and outputting a result ofcombining; and (4) convolutional decoding means for convolution-decodingsaid result of combining, and outputting a decoded data, wherein saidpuncturing means provides a reference matrix for generating a pluralform of said puncturing patterns having an identical puncturing rate,but respectively different block patterns.
 2. A transmission andreception system comprising: a transmission device including: (1)convolutional coding means for convolution-coding input data, andoutputting convolution-coded data; (2) first multiple puncturing patterngeneration means for generating a plural form of puncturing patternshaving an identical puncturing rate, but having respectively differentpuncturing block patterns, said first multiple puncturing patterngeneration means providing a reference matrix from which are generatedsaid puncturing patterns; (3) first puncturing means for puncturingconvolution-coded data output by said convolutional coding means byusing each of said plural form of puncturing patterns supplied by saidfirst multiple puncturing pattern generation means, and outputting aplural form of punctured data; (4) modulation/transmission means formodulating and transmitting said each form of punctured data output bysaid first puncturing means by using each of branches, as transmissiondata, and a receiving device including: (1) reception/demodulation meansfor receiving and demodulating each of the signals transmitted by saidtransmission device by using each of branches, and outputtingdemodulated data; (2) second multiple puncturing pattern generationmeans for generating a plural form of puncturing patterns, which areidentical to the puncturing patterns generated by said first multiplepuncturing pattern generation means; (3) first depuncturing means fordepuncturing each of demodulated data in quantity corresponding to thenumber of said branches output from said reception/demodulation means byusing the puncturing patterns supplied by said second multiplepuncturing pattern generation means, and outputting depunctured data;(4) first combining means for combining each of depunctured data outputby said first depuncturing means, symbol by symbol in a unit of block,and outputting a result of combining; and (5) first convolutionaldecoding means for convolution-decoding said result of combining, andoutputting decoded data, wherein said transmission and reception systemexecutes transmission and reception of a plurality of differenterror-correction code words, as individual branch data, obtained bypuncturing and convolution-coding identical series of information datawith the plurality of different forms of puncturing patterns.
 3. Thetransmission and reception system according to claim 2, wherein: saideach form of punctured data output by said first puncturing means aretransmitted by using each of branches of space-diversity.
 4. Thetransmission and reception system according to claim 3, wherein: (1)said demodulated data output by said reception/demodulation means aredigital values quantized with a predetermined number of bits; (2) saiddepuncturing carried out by said first depuncturing means includesinserting a middle value between two digital values corresponding to amark and a space; (3) said combining by said first combining means is aprocess of addition of a digital value to said series of depunctureddata output by said first depuncturing means, symbol by symbol in a unitof a block; and (4) said first convolutional decoding means definesViterbi soft quantization means for executing a Viterbi soft decision.5. The transmission and reception system according to claim 3, whereinpuncturing locations in said puncturing patterns generated by said firstmultiple puncturing pattern generation means are set in a manner not tooverlap among said patterns.
 6. The transmission and reception systemaccording to claim 2, wherein: said each form of punctured data outputby said first puncturing means are transmitted by using each of branchesof frequency-diversity.
 7. The transmission and reception systemaccording to claim 6, wherein: (1) said demodulated data output by saidreception/demodulation means are digital values quantized with apredetermined number of bits; (2) said depuncturing carried out by saidfirst depuncturing means includes inserting a middle value between twodigital values corresponding to a mark and a space; (3) said combiningby said first combining means is a process of addition of a digitalvalue to said series of depunctured data output by said firstdepuncturing means, symbol by symbol in a unit of a block; and (4) saidfirst convolutional decoding means defines Viterbi soft quantizationmeans for executing a Viterbi soft decision.
 8. The transmission andreception system according to claim 6, wherein puncturing locations insaid puncturing patterns generated by said first multiple puncturingpattern generation means are set in a manner not to overlap among saidpatterns.
 9. The transmission and reception system according to claim 2,wherein: said each form of punctured data output by said firstpuncturing means are transmitted by using each of branches of codedivision multiplex.
 10. The transmission and reception system accordingto claim 9, wherein: said demodulated data output by saidreception/demodulation means are digital values quantized with apredetermined number of bits; said depuncturing carried out by saidfirst depuncturing means includes inserting a middle value between twodigital values corresponding to a mark and a space; said combining bysaid first combining means is a process of addition of a digital valueto said series of depunctured data output by said first depuncturingmeans, symbol by symbol in a unit of a block; and said firstconvolutional decoding means defines Viterbi soft quantization means forexecuting a Viterbi soft decision.
 11. The transmission and receptionsystem according to claim 9, wherein puncturing locations in saidpuncturing patterns generated by said first multiple puncturing patterngeneration means are set in a manner not to overlap among said patterns.12. The transmission and reception system according to claim 2, wherein:(1) said demodulated data output by said reception/demodulation meansare digital values quantized with a predetermined number of bits; (2)said depuncturing carried out by said first depuncturing means includesinserting a middle value between two digital values corresponding to amark and a space; (3) said combining by said first combining means is aprocess of addition of a digital value to said series of depunctureddata output by said first depuncturing means, symbol by symbol in a unitof a block; and (4) said first convolutional decoding means definesViterbi soft quantization means for executing a Viterbi soft decision.13. The transmission and reception system according to claim 2, whereinpuncturing locations in said puncturing patterns generated by said firstmultiple puncturing pattern generation means are set in a manner not tooverlap among said patterns.
 14. A transmission and reception systemcomprising: a transmission device including: (1) convolutional codingmeans for convolution-coding input data, and outputtingconvolution-coded data; (2) first multiple puncturing pattern generationmeans for generating a plural form of puncturing patterns having anidentical puncturing rate, but having respectively different puncturingblock patterns, said first multiple puncturing pattern generation meansproviding a reference matrix from which are generated said puncturingpatterns; (3) first puncturing means for puncturing convolution-codeddata output by said convolutional coding means by using each of saidplural form of puncturing patterns supplied by said first multiplepuncturing pattern generation means, and outputting a plural form ofpunctured data; (4) modulation/transmission means for modulating andtransmitting said each form of punctured data output by said firstpuncturing means by using each of branches, as transmission data, and areceiving device including: (1) reception/demodulation means forreceiving and demodulating each of the signals transmitted by saidtransmission device by using each of branches, and outputtingdemodulated data; (2) second multiple puncturing pattern generationmeans for generating a plural form of puncturing patterns, which areidentical to the puncturing patterns generated by said first multiplepuncturing pattern generation means; (3) first depuncturing means fordepuncturing each of demodulated data in quantity corresponding to thenumber of said branches output from said reception/demodulation means byusing the puncturing patterns supplied by said second multiplepuncturing pattern generation means, and outputting depunctured data;(4) first combining means for combining each of depunctured data outputby said first depuncturing means, symbol by symbol in a unit of block,and outputting a result of combining; and (5) first convolutionaldecoding means for convolution-decoding said result of combining, andoutputting decoded data, wherein said transmission and reception systemexecutes transmission and reception of a plurality of differenterror-correction code words, as individual branch data, obtained bypuncturing and convolution-coding identical series of information datawith the plurality of different forms of puncturing patterns, and saidfirst multiple puncturing pattern generation means comprises a firstreference matrix generation means for generating a reference matrix forone of said puncturing patterns, and a first matrix conversion means foroutputting a different puncturing pattern for each one of a plurality ofbranches by converting at least one of rows, columns and elements ofsaid reference matrix.
 15. The transmission and reception systemaccording to claim 14, wherein said second multiple puncturing patterngeneration means comprises second reference matrix generation meanshaving the same function as said first reference matrix generationmeans, and a second matrix conversion means having the same function assaid first matrix conversion means with relation to a further referencematrix generated by said second reference matrix generation means.
 16. Atransmission and reception system comprising: a transmission deviceincluding: (1) convolutional coding means for convolution-coding inputdata, and outputting convolution-coded data; (2) first multiplepuncturing pattern generation means for generating a plural form ofpuncturing patterns having an identical puncturing rate, but havingrespectively different puncturing block patterns, said first multiplepuncturing pattern generation means providing a reference matrix fromwhich are generated said puncturing patterns; (3) first puncturing meansfor puncturing convolution-coded data output by said convolutionalcoding means by using each of said plural form of puncturing patternssupplied by said first multiple puncturing pattern generation means, andoutputting a plural form of punctured data; (4) modulation/transmissionmeans for modulating and transmitting, said each form of punctured dataoutput by said first puncturing means by using each of branches, astransmission data, and a receiving device including: (1)reception/demodulation means for receiving and demodulating each of thesignals transmitted by said transmission device by using each ofbranches, and outputting demodulated data; (2) reception level memorymeans for measuring a reception level at every Branches_in saidreception/demodulation means, and storing a result of measurement; (3)second multiple puncturing pattern generation means for generating aplural form of puncturing patterns, which are identical to thepuncturing patterns generated by said first multiple puncturing patterngeneration means; (4) first depuncturing means for depuncturing each ofdemodulated data in quantity corresponding to the number of saidbranches output from said reception/demodulation means by using thepuncturing patterns supplied by said second multiple puncturing patterngeneration means, and outputting depunctured data; (5)weighting/combining means for i) weighing and ii) then combining thedepunctured data output by said first depuncturing means according tothe reception level for each of said reception level stored in saidreception level memory means, and outputting a result of combining; and(6) first convolutional decoding means for convolution-decoding saidresult of combining, and outputting decoded data, wherein saidtime-diversity transmission and reception system executes transmissionand reception of a plurality of different error-correction code words,as individual branch data, obtained by puncturing and convolution-codingidentical series of information data with the plurality of differentforms ofpuncturing patterns, and said first multiple puncturing patterngeneration means comprises a first reference matrix generation means forgenerating a reference matrix for one of said puncturing patterns, and afirst matrix conversion means for outputting a different puncturingpattern for each one of a plurality of branches by converting at leastone of rows, columns and elements of said reference matrix.
 17. Atransmission and reception system, comprising a transmission device anda receiving device, said transmission device comprising: (1) firstconvolutional coding means for outputting input data byconvolution-coding said data; (2) first multiple puncturing patterngeneration means for generating a plural form of predeterminedpuncturing patterns having an identical puncturing rate, butrespectively different puncturing block patterns, said first multiplepuncturing pattern generation means providing a reference matrix fromwhich are generated said puncturing patterns; (3) first puncturing meansfor puncturing convolution-coded data output by said first convolutionalcoding means by using each of said puncturing patterns supplied by saidfirst multiple puncturing pattern generation means, and outputtingpunctured data; (4) first code division multiplex signal transmissionmeans for simultaneously transmitting said punctured data by codedivision multiplexing, and said receiving device comprising: (1) firstcode division multiplex signal reception means for receiving anddemodulating a signal transmitted with said code division multiplexing,and outputting multiplexed demodulated data; (2) second multiplepuncturing pattern generation means for generating puncturing patterns,which are identical to the predetermined plural output from said firstcode division multiplex signal reception means by using the puncturingpatterns supplied by said second multiple puncturing pattern generationmeans, and outputting depunctured data; (4) first combining means forcombining the depunctured data output by said first depuncturing means,symbol by symbol in a unit of a block, and outputting a result ofcombining; and (5) first convolutional decoding means forconvolution-decoding said result of combining, and outputting a decodeddata, wherein said transmission and reception system executes codedivision multiplex transmission and reception of error-correction codewords obtained by puncturing and convolution-coding identical series ofinformation data with the puncturing patterns, and said first multiplepuncturing pattern generation means comprises a first reference matrixgeneration means for generating a reference matrix for one of saidpuncturing patterns, and a first matrix conversion means for outputtinga different puncturing pattern for each one of a plural form byconverting at least one of rows, columns and elements of said referencematrix.
 18. A transmission and reception system according to comprisinga plurality of transmission devices and a receiving device, each of saidplurality of transmission devices comprising: (1) convolutional codingmeans for convolution-coding and outputting said input data; (2)puncturing pattern generation means for generating a puncturing patternhaving an identical puncturing rate, but having a different puncturingblock pattern from a puncturing pattern generated in any other of saidplurality of transmission devices, said puncturing pattern generationmeans providing a reference matrix from which is generated saidpuncturing pattern; (3) puncturing means for puncturing a series ofconvolution-coded data output by said convolutional coding means byusing the puncturing pattern supplied by said puncturing patterngeneration means, and outputting a series of punctured data; (4) firsttransmission control means for outputting information of a predeterminedtransmission timing and a predetermined transmission frequency for saidtransmission device to execute a transmission; and (5)modulation/transmission means for modulating and transmitting saidseries of punctured data in response to said information of transmissiontiming and transmission frequency, and said receiving device comprising:(1) first reception control means for supplying information of apredetermined reception timing and a predetermined reception frequencyfor carrying out reception of individual signals transmitted by each ofsaid plurality of transmission devices in said predeterminedtransmission timing and said predetermined transmission frequency; (2)reception/demodulation means for receiving and demodulating the signaltransmitted by each of said transmission devices in response toinformation of said predetermined reception timing and saidpredetermined reception frequency supplied from said first receptioncontrol means, and outputting demodulated data; (3) multiple puncturingpattern generation means for generating puncturing patterns, which areidentical to the individual puncturing patterns of said plurality oftransmission devices; (4) depuncturing means for depuncturing each ofthe demodulated data output by said first reception/demodulation meansby using a puncturing pattern that is identical to the puncturingpattern used by each of said plurality of transmission devices amongsaid puncturing patterns supplied from said multiple puncturing patterngeneration means, and outputting depunctured data; (5) combining meansfor combining said depunctured data output by said second depuncturingmeans, symbol by symbol in a unit of a block, and outputting a result ofcombining; and (6) convolutional decoding means for convolution-decodingsaid result of combining, wherein said transmission and reception systemsets said transmission frequencies approximately equal and selects saidtransmission timings with said transmission control means in a mannernot to overlap among said plurality of transmission devices, andexecutes transmissions having different timings with respect to oneanother by punctured-convolution-coding of said information dataindividually with different puncturing patterns when transmitting saiddata by said plurality of transmission devices; and said puncturingpattern generation means comprises a first reference matrix generationmeans for generating a reference matrix for one of said puncturingpatterns, and a first matrix conversion means for outputting a differentpuncturing pattern for each one of a plural transmission devices byconverting at least one of rows, columns and elements of said referencematrix.
 19. The transmission and reception system according to claim 18,wherein said transmission control means i) sets transmission timings tobe approximately equal and ii) selects transmission frequencies in asuch manner not to overlap among said plurality of transmission devices,and said reception control means sets said reception timings and saidreception frequencies in advance to correspond with said transmissiontimings and said transmission frequencies of said transmission controlmeans.
 20. The transmission and reception system according to claim 18,wherein both said transmission timings and said transmission frequenciesare set in advance in a such manner not to overlap among said pluralityof transmission devices; and said reception timings and said receptionfrequencies are set in advance to correspond with said transmissiontimings and said transmission frequencies of said transmission controlmeans.
 21. A transmission and reception system comprising a plurality oftransmission devices and a receiving device, each of said plurality oftransmission device comprising: (1) convolutional coding means forconvolution-coding and outputting said input data; (2) puncturingpattern generation means for generating a puncturing pattern having anidentical puncturing rate, but having a different puncturing blockpattern from a puncturing block pattern generated in any other of saidplurality of transmission devices, said puncturing pattern generationmeans providing a reference matrix from which is generated saidpuncturing pattern; (3) puncturing means for puncturing a series ofconvolution-coded data output by said second convolutional coding meansby using the puncturing pattern supplied by said first puncturingpattern generation means, and outputting a series of punctured data; (4)transmission control means for outputting information of a predeterminedtransmission timing and a predetermined transmission frequency for saidtransmission device to execute a transmission, both said transmissiontimings and said transmission frequencies are set in advance to beapproximately equal among said plurality of transmission devices; and(5) code division multiplex signal transmission means for modulating andtransmitting said series of punctured data output by said secondpuncturing means with code division multiplexing in response toinformation of transmission timings and transmission frequenciessupplied from said transmission control means; and and a receivingdevice comprising: (1) reception control means for supplying informationof a predetermined reception timing and a predetermined receptionfrequency for carrying out reception of individual signals transmittedby said plurality of transmission devices in said predeterminedtransmission timing and said predetermined transmission frequency, saidreception timings and said reception frequencies are set in advance tocorrespond with said transmission timings and said transmissionfrequencies of said fourth transmission control means; (2) code divisionmultiplex signal reception means for receiving and demodulating aplurality of transmission signals transmitted with said code-divisionmultiplexing by way of a despreading process according to information ofsaid reception timings and said reception frequencies supplied from saidreception control means, and outputting an individual series ofextracted demodulated data; (3) multiple puncturing pattern generationmeans for generating puncturing patterns, which are identical to theindividual puncturing patterns of said plurality of transmissiondevices; (4) depuncturing means for depuncturing each of the demodulateddata output by said code division multiplex signal reception means byusing a puncturing pattern that is identical to the respective one usedby each of said plurality of transmission devices among said puncturingpatterns supplied from said multiple puncturing pattern generationmeans, and outputting depunctured data; (5) combining means forcombining said depunctured data output by said depuncturing means,symbol by symbol in a unit of a block, and outputting a result ofcombining; and (6) convolutional decoding means for convolution-decodingsaid result of combining, wherein said transmission and reception systemsets said transmission frequencies approximately equal and selects saidtransmission timings in a manner not to overlap among said plurality oftransmission devices with said transmission control means, and executestransmissions having different timings with respect to one another bypunctured-convolution-coding of said information data individually withdifferent puncturing patterns when transmitting said series of data bysaid plurality of transmission devices; and said puncturing patterngeneration means comprises a first reference matrix generation means forgenerating a reference matrix for one of said puncturing patterns, and afirst matrix conversion means for outputting a different puncturingpattern for each one of a plural transmission devices by converting atleast one of rows, columns and elements of said reference matrix.
 22. Atransmission and reception system, comprising a transmission device, aplurality of receiving devices for receiving a signal output by saidtransmission device, and an output processing device for accumulating aseries of data received by said plurality of receiving devices, saidtransmission device comprising: (1) convolutional coding means foroutputting input data by convolution-coding said data; (2) multiplepuncturing pattern generation means for generating and outputting aplural form of puncturing patterns having an identical puncturing rate,but having respectively different puncturing block patterns, saidmultiple puncturing pattern generation means providing a referencematrix from which are generated said puncturing patterns; (3) puncturingmeans for puncturing convolution-coded data output by said convolutionalcoding means by using each of said puncturing patterns supplied by saidmultiple puncturing pattern generation means, and outputting punctureddata; (4) transmission control means for outputting information oftransmission timing and transmission frequency for said transmissiondevice; and (5) modulation/transmission means for modulating andtransmitting each of said punctured data supplied from said thirdpuncturing means in response to the information of said transmissiontiming and said transmission frequency supplied from said transmissioncontrol means, each of said plurality of receiving devices comprising:(1) reception control means for outputting information of saidtransmission timing and said transmission frequency for carrying outreception of individual transmission signals addressed to each of saidplurality of receiving devices out of a plurality of signals transmittedby said transmission device having said transmission timing and saidtransmission frequency; (2) reception/demodulation means for executingreception and demodulation according to information of a receptiontiming and a reception frequency supplied from said reception controlmeans, and outputting demodulated data; (3) puncturing patterngeneration means for generating a puncturing pattern, which is identicalto the puncturing pattern used in the transmission addressed to each ofsaid receiving devices out of said puncturing patterns generated by saidmultiple puncturing pattern generation means; and (4) depuncturing meansfor depuncturing said demodulated data by using the puncturing patternsupplied by said puncturing pattern generation means, and outputting aseries of depunctured data, and said output processing devicecomprising: (1) combining means for combining said series of depunctureddata obtained by each of said plurality of receiving devices, symbol bysymbol in a unit of a block; and (2) convolutional decoding means forconvolution-decoding a result of combining output by said combiningmeans, wherein the information of said transmission timings supplied bysaid transmission control means are arranged in a such manner that saidindividual transmissions do not overlap, and that the transmissionfrequency are approximately equal among said individual transmissions,and said first multiple puncturing pattern generation means comprises afirst reference matrix generation means for generating a referencematrix for one of said puncturing patterns, and a first matrixconversion means for outputting a different puncturing pattern for eachone of a plural form by converting at least one of rows, columns andelements of said reference matrix.
 23. A transmission and receptionsystem, comprising a transmission device, a plurality of receivingdevices for receiving a signal output by said transmission device, andan output processing device for accumulating a series of data receivedby said plurality of receiving devices, said transmission devicecomprising: (1) convolutional coding means for outputting input data byconvolution-coding said data; (2) multiple puncturing pattern generationmeans for generating and outputting a plural form of puncturing patternshaving an identical puncturing rate, but having respectively differentpuncturing block patterns, said multiple puncturing pattern generationmeans providing a reference matrix from which are generated saidpuncturing patterns; (3) puncturing means for puncturingconvolution-coded data output by said convolutional coding means byusing each of said puncturing patterns supplied by said multiplepuncturing pattern generation means, and outputting punctured data; (4)transmission control means, in which individual transmission timings areset to be approximately equal and transmission frequencies are selectedin a such manner not to overlap a predetermined number of individualtransmissions, in advance; and (5) modulation/transmission means formodulating and transmitting each of said punctured data supplied fromsaid puncturing means in response to the information of saidtransmission timing and said transmission frequency supplied from saidtransmission control means, each of said plurality of receiving devicescomprising: (1) reception control means, in which reception timings andreception frequencies for each of said plurality of receiving devicesare set in advance to correspond with said transmission timings and saidtransmission frequencies assigned for individual ones of said pluralityof receiving devices in said transmission control means; (2)reception/demodulation means for executing reception and demodulationaccording to information of said reception timing and said receptionfrequency supplied from said reception control means, and outputtingdemodulated data; (3) puncturing pattern generation means for generatinga puncturing pattern, which is identical to a respective puncturingpattern used in the transmission addressed to each of said receivingdevices out of said puncturing patterns generated by said multiplepuncturing pattern generation means; and (4) depuncturing means fordepuncturing said demodulated data by using the puncturing patternsupplied by said puncturing pattern generation means, and outputting aseries of depunctured data, and said output processing devicecomprising: (1) combining means for combining said series of depunctureddata obtained from each of said plurality of receiving devices, symbolby symbol in a unit of a block; and (2) convolutional decoding means forconvolution-decoding a result of combining output by said combiningmeans, wherein the information of said transmission timings supplied bysaid transmission control means are arranged in a such manner that saidindividual transmissions do not overlap, and that the information ofsaid transmission frequency are approximately equal among saidindividual transmissions, and said first multiple puncturing patterngeneration means comprises a first reference matrix generation means forgenerating a reference matrix for one of said puncturing patterns, and afirst matrix conversion means for outputting a different puncturingpattern for each one of a plural form by converting at least one ofrows, columns and elements of said reference matrix.
 24. A transmissionand reception system, comprising a transmission device, a plurality ofreceiving devices for receiving a signal output by said transmissiondevice, and an output processing device for accumulating a series ofdata received by said plurality of receiving devices, said transmissiondevice comprising: (1) convolutional coding means for outputting inputdata by convolution-coding said data; (2) multiple puncturing patterngeneration means for generating and outputting a plural form ofpuncturing patterns having an identical puncturing rate, but havingrespectively different puncturing block patterns, said multiplepuncturing pattern generation means providing a reference matrix fromwhich are generated said puncturing patterns; (3) puncturing means forpuncturing convolution-coded data output by said convolutional codingmeans by using each of said puncturing patterns supplied by saidmultiple puncturing pattern generation means, and outputting punctureddata; (4) transmission control means, in which both transmission timingsand transmission frequencies are set in advance in such a manner not tooverlap a predetermined number of individual transmissions; and (5)modulation/transmission means for modulating and transmitting each ofsaid punctured data supplied from said puncturing means in response tosaid transmission timing and said transmission frequency supplied fromsaid transmission control means, each of said plurality of receivingdevices comprising: (1) reception control means, in which receptiontimings and reception frequencies for each of said plurality ofreception devices are set in advance to correspond with saidtransmission timings and said transmission frequencies assigned to eachof said plurality of reception devices in said transmission controlmeans; (2) reception/demodulation means for executing reception anddemodulation according to information of said reception timing and saidreception frequency supplied from said reception control means, andoutputting demodulated data; (3) puncturing pattern generation means forgenerating a puncturing pattern, which is identical to the puncturingpattern used in the respective transmission addressed to each of saidreceiving devices out of said puncturing patterns generated by saidmultiple puncturing pattern generation means; and (4) depuncturing meansfor depuncturing said demodulated data by using the puncturing patternsupplied by said puncturing pattern generation means, and outputting aseries of depunctured data, and said output processing devicecomprising: (1) combining means for combining said series of depunctureddata obtained from each of said plurality of receiving devices, symbolby symbol in a unit of a block; and (2) convolutional decoding means forconvolution-decoding a result of combining output by said combiningmeans, wherein the information of said transmission timings supplied bysaid transmission control means are arranged in a such manner that saidindividual transmissions do not overlap, and that the information ofsaid transmission frequency are approximately equal among saidindividual transmissions, and said first multiple puncturing patterngeneration means comprises a first reference matrix generation means forgenerating a reference matrix for one of said puncturing patterns, and afirst matrix conversion means for outputting a different puncturingpattern for each one of a plural form by converting at least one ofrows, columns and elements of said reference matrix.
 25. A transmissionand reception system, comprising a transmission device, a plurality ofreceiving devices for receiving a signal output by said transmissiondevice, and an output processing device for accumulating a series ofdata received by said plurality of receiving devices, said transmissiondevice comprising: (1) convolutional coding means for outputting inputdata by convolution-coding said data; (2) multiple puncturing patterngeneration means for generating and outputting a plural form ofpuncturing patterns having an identical puncturing rate, but havingrespectively different puncturing block patterns, said multiplepuncturing pattern generation means providing a reference matrix fromwhich are generated said puncturing patterns; (3) puncturing means forpuncturing convolution-coded data output by said convolutional codingmeans by using each of said puncturing patterns supplied by saidmultiple puncturing pattern generation means, and outputting punctureddata; (4) transmission control means, in which both transmission timingsand transmission frequencies are set to be approximately equal among apredetermined number of individual transmissions; (5) code divisionmultiplex signal transmission means for modulating and transmitting saidpunctured data with code division multiplexing in response toinformation of transmission timings and transmission frequenciessupplied from said transmission control means; each of said plurality ofreceiving devices comprising: (1) reception control means, in whichreception timing and reception frequency for each of said plurality ofreceiving devices are set to correspond with said transmission timingsand said transmission frequencies of said transmission control means;and (2) code division multiplex signal reception means for receiving anddemodulating said signals transmitted with code-division multiplexing byextracting only a signal addressed to each of said plurality ofreceiving devices according to information of the reception timings andthe reception frequencies supplied from said reception control means,and outputting demodulated data; (3) puncturing pattern generation meansfor generating a puncturing pattern, which is identical to thepuncturing pattern used in the respective transmission addressed to eachof said plurality of receiving devices out of said puncturing patternsgenerated by said multiple puncturing pattern generation means; and (4)depuncturing means for depuncturing said demodulated data by using thepuncturing pattern supplied by said puncturing pattern generation means,and outputting a series of depunctured data, and said output processingdevice comprising: (1) combining means for combining said depunctureddata obtained by each of said plurality of receiving devices, symbol bysymbol in a unit of a block; and (2) convolutional decoding means forconvolution-decoding a result of combining output by said combiningmeans, wherein the information of said transmission timings supplied bysaid transmission control means are arranged in a such manner that saidindividual transmissions do not overlap, and that the information ofsaid transmission frequency are approximately equal among saidindividual transmissions, and said first multiple puncturing patterngeneration means comprises a first reference matrix generation means forgenerating a reference matrix for one of said puncturing patterns, and afirst matrix conversion means for outputting a different puncturingpattern for each one of a plural form by converting at least one ofrows, columns and elements of said reference matrix.
 26. A transmissionand reception system comprising a transmission earth station, areceiving earth station, and a plurality of satellite repeater stations,wherein communication is made from said transmission earth station tosaid receiving earth station via said plurality of satellite repeaterstations, said transmission earth station being provided with an earthstation transmission device comprising: (1) convolutional coding meansfor outputting input data by convolution-coding said data; (2) firstmultiple puncturing pattern generation means for generating puncturingpatterns having an identical puncturing rate, but having respectivelydifferent puncturing block patterns, said first multiple puncturingpattern generation means providing a reference matrix from which aregenerated said puncturing patterns; (3) puncturing means for puncturingconvolution-coded data output by said convolutional coding means byusing each of said puncturing patterns supplied by said first multiplepuncturing pattern generation means, and outputting punctured data; and(4) earth station modulation/transmission means for transmitting each ofsaid punctured data output by said puncturing means to said plurality ofsatellite repeater stations, one series of data after another, and saidreceiving earth station being provided with an earth station receptiondevice comprising: (1) earth station reception/demodulation means forreceiving individual signals transmitted from said transmission earthstation via said plurality of satellite repeater stations, andoutputting demodulated data; (2) second multiple puncturing patterngeneration means for generating puncturing patterns, which are identicalto the puncturing patterns of said first multiple puncturing patterngeneration means; (3) depuncturing means for depuncturing each of saiddemodulated data output from said earth station reception/demodulationmeans by using each of said puncturing patterns supplied by said secondmultiple puncturing pattern generation means, and outputting thedepunctured data; (4) combining means for combining the depunctured dataoutput by said depuncturing means, symbol by symbol in a unit of ablock, and outputting a result of combining; and (5) convolutionaldecoding means for convolution-decoding said result of combining outputby said combining means, and outputting a decoded data, wherein saidtransmission and reception system punctured-convolution-codes identicalseries of information data with different forms of puncturing patterns,and executes path-diversity transmission and reception of an obtainedplurality of different series of error-correction code words, asindividual diversity branch data via said plurality of satelliterepeater stations, and said first multiple puncturing pattern generationmeans comprises a first reference matrix generation means for generatinga reference matrix for one of said puncturing patterns, and a firstmatrix conversion means for outputting a different puncturing patternfor each one of a plural form by converting at least one of rows,columns and elements of said reference matrix.
 27. A transmission andreception system comprising a plurality of earth stations and aplurality of satellite repeater stations, wherein said plurality ofearth stations communicate with one another via said plurality ofsatellite repeater stations, and each of said plurality of earthstations comprises: an earth station transmission device comprising: (1)convolutional coding means for outputting input data byconvolution-coding said data; (2) first multiple puncturing patterngeneration means for generating puncturing patterns having an identicalpuncturing rate, but having respectively different puncturing blockpatterns, said first multiple puncturing pattern generation meansproviding a reference matrix from which are generated said puncturingpatterns; (3) puncturing means for puncturing convolution-coded dataoutput by said convolutional coding means by using each of saidpuncturing patterns supplied by said first multiple puncturing patterngeneration means, and outputting punctured data; and (4) earth stationmodulation/transmission means for transmitting each of said punctureddata output by said puncturing means to said plurality of satelliterepeater stations, one series of data after another, and an earthstation reception device comprising: (1) earth stationreception/demodulation means for receiving individual signalstransmitted from said transmission earth station via said plurality ofsatellite repeater stations, and outputting of demodulated data; (2)second multiple puncturing pattern generation means for generatingpuncturing patterns, which are identical to the puncturing patterns ofsaid first multiple puncturing pattern generation means; (3)depuncturing means for depuncturing each of said demodulated data outputfrom said earth station reception/demodulation means by using each ofsaid puncturing patterns supplied by said second multiple puncturingpattern generation means, and outputting the depunctured data; (4)combining means for combining the depunctured data output by saiddepuncturing means, symbol by symbol in a unit of a block, andoutputting a result of combining; and (5) convolutional decoding meansfor convolution-decoding said result of combining output by saidcombining means, and outputting a decoded data, wherein saidtransmission and reception system punctured-convolution-codes identicalseries of information data with different forms of puncturing patterns,and executes path-diversity transmission and reception of an obtainedplurality of different series of error-correction code words, asindividual diversity branch data via said plurality of satelliterepeater stations, and said first multiple puncturing pattern generationmeans comprises a first reference matrix generation means for generatinga reference matrix for one of said puncturing patterns, and a firstmatrix conversion means for outputting a different puncturing patternfor each one of a plural form by converting at least one of rows,columns and elements of said reference matrix.
 28. A transmission devicecomprising: (1) convolutional coding means for convolution-coding inputdata, and outputting convolution-coded data; (2) puncturing means forpuncturing said convolution-coded data using puncturing patterns, andoutputting punctured data; and (3) modulation/transmission means formodulating and transmitting said punctured data, wherein said puncturingmeans provides a reference matrix for generating a plural form of saidpuncturing patterns having an identical puncturing rate, butrespectively different block patterns.
 29. A transmission deviceincluding: (1) convolutional coding means for convolution-coding inputdata, and outputting convolution-coded data; (2) first multiplepuncturing pattern generation means for generating a plural form ofpuncturing patterns having an identical puncturing rate, but havingrespectively different puncturing block patterns, said first multiplepuncturing pattern generation means providing a reference matrix fromwhich are generated said puncturing patterns; (3) first puncturing meansfor puncturing convolution-coded data output by said convolutionalcoding means by using each of said plural form of puncturing patternssupplied by said first multiple puncturing pattern generation means, andoutputting a plural form of punctured data; (4) modulation/transmissionmeans for modulating and transmitting said each form of punctured dataoutput by said first puncturing means by using each of branches, astransmission data.
 30. The transmission device according to claim 29,wherein said first multiple puncturing pattern generation meanscomprises a first reference matrix generation means for generating areference matrix for one of said puncturing patterns, and a first matrixconversion means for outputting a different puncturing pattern for eachone of a plurality of branches by converting at least one of rows,columns and elements of said reference matrix.
 31. A receiving devicecomprising: (1) reception/demodulation means for receiving anddemodulating a signal transmitted by a transmission source via acommunication pathway, and outputting demodulated data, saidtransmission source providing a reference matrix from which aregenerated puncturing patterns having an identical punturing rate buthaving respectively different puncturing block patterns; (2)depuncturing means for depuncturing said demodulated data usingpuncturing patterns of said transmission source, and outputting a pluralvariety of series of depunctured data; (3) combining means for combiningsaid series of depunctured data, and outputting a result of combining;and (4) convolutional decoding means for convolution-decoding saidresult of combining, and outputting a decoded data.
 32. A receivingdevice comprising: (1) reception/demodulation means for receiving anddemodulating each of the signals transmitted by a transmission source byusing each of branches, and outputting demodulated data; (2) firstmultiple puncturing pattern generation means for generating a pluralform of puncturing patterns, having an identical rate, but havingrespectively different puncturing block patterns, said first multiplepuncturing pattern generation means providinci a reference matrix fromwhich said puncturing patterns are aenerated; (3) first depuncturingmeans for depuncturing each of demodulated data in quantitycorresponding to the number of said branches output from saidreception/demodulation means by using the puncturing patterns suppliedby said first multiple puncturing pattern generation means, andoutputting depunctured data; (4) first combining means for combiningeach of depunctured data output by said first depuncturing means, symbolby symbol in a unit of block, and outputting a result of combining; and(5) first convolutional decoding means for convolution-decoding saidresult of combining, and outputting decoded data.
 33. A transmission andreception device comprising a transmitter and receiver, said transmittercomprising; (1) convolutional coding means for convolution-coding inputdata, and outputting convolution-coded data; (2) puncturing means forpuncturing said convolution-coded data using puncturing patterns, andoutputting punctured data; and (3) modulation/transmission means formodulating and transmitting said punctured data, and said receivercomprising: (1) reception/demodulation means for receiving anddemodulating a signal transmitted by said transmission device, andoutputting demodulated data; (2) depuncturing means for depuncturingsaid demodulated data using said puncturing patterns used by saidpuncturing means, and outputting depunctured data; (3) combining meansfor combining said depunctured data, and outputting a result ofcombining; and (4) convolutional decoding means for convolution-decodingsaid result of combining, and outputting a decoded data, wherein saidpuncturing means provides a reference matrix for generating a pluralform of said puncturing patterns having an identical puncturing rate,but respectively different block patterns.
 34. A transmission andreception device comprising a transmitter and receiver, said transmittercomprising; (1) convolutional coding means for convolution-coding inputdata, and outputting convolution-coded data; (2) first multiplepuncturing pattern generation means for generating a plural form ofpuncturing patterns having an identical puncturing rate, but havingrespectively different puncturing block patterns, said first multiplepuncturing pattern generation means providing a reference matrix fromwhich are generated said puncturing patterns; (3) first puncturing meansfor puncturing convolution-coded data output by said convolutionalcoding means by using each of said plural form of puncturing patternssupplied by said first multiple puncturing pattern generation means, andoutputting a plural form of punctured data; (4) modulation/transmissionmeans for modulating and transmitting said each form of punctured dataoutput by said first puncturing means by using each of branches, astransmission data, and said receiver comprising: (1)reception/demodulation means for receiving and demodulating each of thesignals transmitted by said transmission device by using each ofbranches, and outputting demodulated data; (2) second multiplepuncturing pattern generation means for generating a plural form ofpuncturing patterns, which are identical to the puncturing patternsgenerated by said first multiple puncturing pattern generation means;(3) first depuncturing means for depuncturing each of demodulated datain quantity corresponding to the number of said branches output fromsaid reception/demodulation means by using the puncturing patternssupplied by said second multiple puncturing pattern generation means,and outputting depunctured data; (4) first combining means for combiningeach of depunctured data output by said first depuncturing means, symbolby symbol in a unit of block, and outputting a result of combining; and(5) first convolutional decoding means for convolution-decoding saidresult of combining, and outputting decoded data.
 35. A method oftransmission and/or reception comprising at least one of a process (a)and a process (b) , said process (a) comprising the steps of: (1)convolution-coding input data, and outputting convolution-coded data;(2) puncturing said convolution-coded data by using puncturing patterns,having an identical puncturing rate but having respectively differentpuncturing block patterns and outputting punctured data, said puncturingpatterns generated from a reference matrix, wherein this processcomprises the steps of (i) for generating a reference matrix for one ofsaid puncturing patterns, and (ii) for outputting a different puncturingpattern for each one of a plural form by converting at least one ofrows, columns and elements of said reference matrix; and (3) modulatingand transmitting said of punctured data via at least one communicationpathway, and said process (b) comprising the steps of: (1) receiving anddemodulating a signal transmitted via said communication pathway, andoutputting demodulated data; (2) depuncturing said demodulated data byusing puncturing patterns that are identical to said puncturing patternsused in said step of puncturing, and outputting depunctured data; (3)combining said depunctured data, and outputting a result of combining;and (4) convolution-decoding said result of combining, and outputtingdecoded data.